The majority of students don’t like to learn about history because history is difficult. So, the Pharos wants to inform students about Korean history with interesting episodes that are related to the kings of Joseon. First, let’s look at Crown Prince Sohyeon and King Hyojong who tried to erase the dis\-grace of their father.

#1 Sohyeon & Hyojong: Prisoners who were captured because of their father

In 1632, when King Injo was in power, Hugeum gradually developed power, changed the name of his country to the Qing Dynasty and pressed Joseon. As Joseon acted to exclude the Qing Dynasty in order to remain loyal to the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty invaded Joseon in 1636. This was called the Manchu War of 1636. However, Joseon’s soldiers couldn’t survive for a long time because of a shortage of food and cold weather. So King Injo had no choice but to give up and flee to Gangwha Island, where he stayed at Namhansanseong Fortress. He finally surrendered and knelt down before the Emperor of Qing, Hong Taiji whom he had called a barbarian on Samjeondo. We call it “the indignity on Samjeondo.” As a result, Crown Prince Sohyeon and King Hyojong were brought to the Qing Dynasty with dozens of Joseon people and lived as prisoners in Qing for 8 years.

#2 Sohyeon: A great Joseon diplomat who loved people in the Qing Dynasty

Sohyeon and Hyojong, who became prisoners of the Qing Dynasty, were brought to the Qing Dynasty along with the Qing army. Sohyeon made the Qing army stop at every village of Joseon they passed and he gave rice and fabric to the refugees who were starving while marching for 60 days.

In the fourth year of the two men’s imprisonment by the Qing Dynasty, Hong Taiji gave Sohyeon land and ordered him to do his own farming and eat what was grown. Sohyeon worried that this meant his period of captivity might be long, but his wife, Crown Princess Kang, thought of it as an opportunity. They bought poor prisoners of Joseon and farmed with them, and sent them back to Joseon when Joseon ambassadors came. Afterward, they earned a lot of money through the farming and bought the remaining prisoners. They always took care of their people during the period of captivity.

Sohyeon was a great crown prince who took care of Joseon, his country. He learned and accepted the advanced civilization’s ideas and scientific techniques because he believed that they might be helpful for the growth of Joseon. Also, he played an important role as a diplomat through conducting diverse exchanges, participating in parties of the emperor and attending marriages of the royal palace. Although he was a prisoner, he was confident as a crown prince of Joseon.

#3 Hyojong: The king who tried to erase the disgrace of his father

Sohyeon and Hyojong returned to Joseon in 1645, but Sohyeon died three months after returning, King Hyojong ascended the throne in 1649. Hyojong had revengeful thoughts against the Qing Dynasty, unlike Sohyeon, and his first goal was conquering the north. He established an organization called Eoyeongcheong and strived to improve military training. Although he was not able to conquer the north because of the protests of the people and officers, Hyojong was a king who tried to erase the disgrace of his father.

We hope Kyonggi University students will be interested in our history and that foreign students will want to learn about Korean history and kings through our magazine.